What you will learn in this session 1.The characteristics of fire, smoke and toxic fumes 2.Fire hazards involved in the working environment 3.Significant findings of relevant fire risk assessments 4.Practise and promote fire prevention 5.Action to take if fire breaks out or smoke is detected 6.Identify the types of fire extinguishers used in different situations 7.Evacuation procedures and associated escape routes  You will require further practical training to include evacuation procedures and use of fire fighting equipment

In England in …….  Fire & Rescue services attended 154,000 fires  271 deaths  3,830 injuries  Approximately 1,500 fires on NHS premises in 2011/12 (Health and Social Care Information Centre) Why is this so important?

What is fire?  A chemical reaction producing smoke, heat and flames  Produces dangerous, toxic gases  Will cause disorientation  Will damage property  May cause injury or death “ Smoke inhalation – number 1 cause of death ”

Triangle of Combustion

Fire hazards  Smoking  Flammable liquids, gases and chemicals  Medical oxygen  Electrical items  Clutter  Arson  Staff kitchens/cooking equipment

Smoking  Adhere to the Trust’s Smoking Policy  If smoking is permitted:  Use smoking areas  Use ashtrays and empty into metal bins  Take care that discarded smoking materials are extinguished.

Flammable liquids, gases & chemicals  Everyday cleaning products  Chemicals and gases  C.O.S.H.H.  Flammables should be clearly labelled and stored securely away from heat  Take care with gas cylinders

Medical oxygen  Makes fire WORSE  Always report leaks  Be familiar with how oxygen is supplied and managed  Know how to turn off cylinders or fixed oxygen supply  Store cylinders properly in designated storage areas  Don’t smoke near oxygen!

Electrical equipment  Can be a FIRE HAZARD if in poor condition or used wrongly  Look for signs of damage, overheating or not working properly.  Make sure equipment is tested  If in any doubt, SWITCH OFF, REPORT AND LABEL  Let others know about the fault

Clutter  Acts as fuel for fire  Blocks exits  Increases risk of trips and falls  Disrupts access for fire fighters “Always keep fire escape routes clear”

Arson  Health care premises are an easy target  Most likely cause of fire in NHS  Be on your guard  Dial (insert specific number)  Consider contacting the police

Risk assessment  The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 demands that all organisations carry out regular and timely risk assessments  You must familiarise yourself with the organisation’s Fire Safety Policy and Risk Assessment.  Become accustomed with the location of fire equipment, fire exits and the evacuation protocol for your working area.

Protective measures  Structural fire separation  Fire doors (30 minute minimum protection)  Fire alarms  Fire signage  Emergency lighting  Fire fighting equipment  Evacuation procedures  Refuges

Fire Extinguishers  Fire extinguishers come in different shapes, sizes and colours  Each fire extinguisher is specifically designed to tackle a certain type of fire “Only use fire extinguishers and any other fire fighting equipment if you're trained to do so”.

Fire Extinguishers  Red – Water Fire Extinguishers (suitable for solid fires and safe for use on paper, wood and textiles. Ordinary water fire extinguishers should not be used on fires with electrical equipment)  Blue – Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers (suitable for small fires and fires involving electrical equipment. However it should not be used on sensitive electrical equipment such as computers)

Fire Extinguisers  Cream – Foam Fire Extinguishers (suitable for fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol and effective in preventing re-ignition)  Black – CO2 or Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers (very effective on fires of computer equipment and various other electrical appliances )

Fire Extinguishers Yellow – Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers (developed specifically to deal with deep fat cooking fires so suitable for fires in kitchens and in food processing plants)

Actions in the event of fire  Raise the alarm  Tackle the fire if you are trained AND ONLY if it’s safe to do so  Evacuate patients to a safe area and ensure their health needs are met  Close doors and windows if it’s safe to do so  Direct fire brigade on arrival  Await further information from attending fire team

You must know…….  Where are the fire alarm call points?  What the emergency number is?  Where the escape routes are?  Where is the safe refuge?  How will the patients be moved?  What are the security arrangements?  Each type of alarm signal?  When are alarm test days?

Don’t forget about…  Disabled colleagues  Patients and visitors  Alternative ways out  Switching equipment off if necessary and safe to do so  Closing windows and doors

 Report hazards  Raise the alarm  Know your means of escape  Keep escape routes clear  Ensure personal safety Remember to…

Acknowledgements Due to space restrictions of this document, a full list of people who contributed to the development of this learning material is provided in the Fire Safety Reader/Student handbook

THANK YOU Any Questions?